Gail Ross welcomes superfast broadband voucher scheme
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North MSP Gail Ross has welcomed a new voucher scheme to help ensure everyone in Scotland will have access to superfast broadband by the end of 2021.
She emphasised that good-quality connectivity is "a lifeline for many of our communities", even more so in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme will provide funding of up to £5000 to help homes and businesses not in the scope of either R100 contracts or planned commercial investment to obtain superfast broadband where providers may not ordinarily go.
R100 stands for Reaching 100 per cent of households with superfast internet connectivity.
Interim vouchers of up to £400 are also being made available for premises where superfast broadband is planned for after the end of 2021 – with an additional £250 for those in the hardest-to-reach areas.
An online postcode checker has been launched to give homes and businesses information on superfast roll-out in their area as well as providing details of voucher scheme eligibility.
Mrs Ross, the SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, said: “Since elected in 2016 the issue of affordable access to reliable, superfast broadband has been a constant concern for many communities throughout Caithness, Sutherland and Ross. To build sustainable and economically diverse thriving communities we simply must have access to quality broadband.
“I’m delighted with the announcement from the Scottish Government today and would urge all constituents to check the online search tool to see what funding could be in place for them. I will continue to campaign for quality connections throughout the north. Now, more than ever, it is a lifeline for many of our communities.”
The postcode checker can be found here.
Scotland’s connectivity minister, Paul Wheelhouse, said: “Digital connectivity has played a vital role in supporting our efforts to keep people safe during the Covid-19 lockdown and will be pivotal in plans for our strategic economic recovery from the pandemic.
“Work is under way to build the infrastructure which will underpin R100, backed by Scottish Government funding of £579 million. This, together with commercially-driven work, will ensure the vast majority of homes and businesses across the country can access superfast broadband access by the end of 2021.
"But Scotland has some of the most challenging locations anywhere in Europe for providing telecoms infrastructure and I have always been clear that additional measures may still be needed to provide superfast access to some of the hardest-to-reach areas.
"That is why we have been developing plans in parallel with the main infrastructure investment to ensure our 100 per cent commitment is met, and the Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme offering a level of funding far exceeding that of any other broadband voucher scheme currently in operation within the UK will ensure that everyone can access and benefit from this world-leading digital capability.”
Liberal Democrat MPs and MSPs wrote to the Scottish Government in July about an apparent threat to the R100 scheme. It followed reports that legal action taken over the government’s handling of procurement for the "northern lot" – including the Highlands and Islands, Angus, Aberdeen and Dundee – could mean that its European state aid protection could expire before the contract was actually awarded.
